Lokesh in Court for Defamation Case Against Sakshi

Visakhapatnam: Education Minister Nara Lokesh appeared before the Visakhapatnam 12th additional district court on Wednesday for the third round of cross-examination in a defamation case filed against Sakshi newspaper that allegedly published a “false” report in 2019.

The report appeared after the TD's electoral defeat in 2019. It claimed Lokesh spent Rs 25 lakh on snacks at the airport lounge during his visits to Visakhapatnam. The report included his photograph and a caricature with the headline "Chinnababu spent 25 lakhs on snacks."

Speaking to the media, Lokesh said, "In 2019, when the TD lost the elections, a false news report was published with the intention of damaging my reputation. I have been fighting this for the past six years. This is the seventh time I have come to Visakhapatnam for this case."

Lokesh stressed his commitment to transparency in public office, stating that he personally bore all expenses during his official visits. "Between 2014 and 2019, and even now, when I visit Visakhapatnam, I don't take a ticket from the government. Nor do I stay in a government guest house," he explained.

"The two vehicles I use are also not government vehicles. I bear the cost of their diesel as well."

He revealed that his wife, Brahmani, even paid his credit card bills, adding, "We have the responsibility to uphold the trust with which the people elected us. Whatever expenses are there, we bear them as a family."

The minister claimed that he entered politics "to serve the people with discipline and perseverance" and was deeply hurt by the false reports. "I will fight against false writings then, now, and always."

Addressing concerns about the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Lokesh denied privatisation plans, stating, "Visakhapatnam Steel will not be privatized, and we will not allow it to be privatised. But we all want Visakhapatnam Steel to run profitably."

The minister outlined plans for regional development, announcing that the high-profile data center work in Madhurawada would begin in two to three months.

"We have set a target of bringing the top 100 IT companies to Visakhapatnam. We will make it happen," Lokesh said, adding that the coalition government's motto was to comprehensively develop the Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati economic regions.

Defending the government's land allocation policies, Lokesh, who also handles the IT department, asked, "We will give all the land to 500 companies at the rate of just 99 paise. We are here to create jobs."

He claimed the government has accomplished in 18 months what the previous YSRC government couldn't do in five years. “We brought in companies like Cognizant, TCS, and Google.”

The minister also spoke on the Bhogapuram airport development, noting that road connectivity was being arranged and an aviation city being established through GMR's partnership with MANSAS Trust.

On education, Lokesh assured students not to worry about fee reimbursement, stating that half of the post-2024 dues have been paid and the remainder would be settled in two months.